Gaging-machine.



H. R. EDGECOMB.

.GAGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 050.4.1913.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

H. R. EDGECOMB. 7 meme MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 4. 1913.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918. I v 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. c 4% UNITED STATES -rn r nrr OFFICE; I

HENRY Ea. EDGECQMB, OFVWILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR r0 WESTING- HOUSE nnnc'rnrc ANDMANUFACTURING COMPANY, A conronnrron or PENN- SYLVAN IA.

enema-inanima- Patented. Aug; c, 1918.

Application filed December 4, 1913. Serial No. 304,665;

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, .HENRY R. EnGEooMB,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gaging- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates:to thickness gaging machines for sheet material, and is the uniformityof thickness of the-sheet is tested by optical or manual methods, and the thin places are further patched. The best known methods of testing and gaging are, however, extremely tedious, as very exact and painstaldng'work is required.

- The object of the present invention is to provide a machine which will do automatically and rapidly thetesting and gaging which are nowlaboriously done by hand. Broadly, the invention contemplates a machine having power driven calipering feed rollers assoclated with automatic recording devices in the nature of scribers, so arranged as to produce marks upon a mica sheet, as it "passes between the rollers, of such a nature as to indicate the exact.location of those. portions of the sheet which are too thick or too thin.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification,. in which, Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of amachine constructed in accordance with my invention, parts being broken away; Y

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, parts being. in section substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan the line 3'-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 1 is a complete front elevation machine on a reduced scale;

substantially on of the Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 1;

- Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the circuits employed; and, v

Fig. 7 is a View showingthe appearance of a sheet after it has passed through the machine.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the machine comprises a fixed outer frame 1, and a movable inner frame 2. The frame 2 is capable of sliding vertically in the frame 1, and may be adjusted relatively thereto by means of screws 3 and lock nuts 4. 9

J Qurnaled in the lower part of the frame 1- is a power shaft 5', on the outer. end of which is mounted a drive wheel 6, which, in theembodiment shown, is illustrated as eapable of receiving a belt. On the shaft 5.

are rigidly secured a series ofv rollers 7, spaced at any suitable distances apart. A

second series of rollers 8 are disposed one' immediately above each of the rollers 7, the arrangement being such that there are a plurality of pairs of rollers? and 8. I

Each of the rollers 8 is mounted upon a stud carried by the short arm 9 of a'bell crank lever pivoted at 11 to a lug 11, carried by the lower transverse member 2 of the frame 2 The long arm 10. of each bell crank lever extends upwardly and terminates in an enlarged head 12, which projects between a pair of parallel transverse memb,ers.2 and 2 forming part of the frame 2.

.In the enlarged head 12 of each bell crank lever. are set two groups of contact screws 13 and 14:, four of such screws being shown in each group. Any desired number may,-

however, be employed. The contact screws Ii -"and 14 are adapted to'engage, respectively, with contact pins 15-and 16, each of such pins being set in a tubular bushing 17 and normally resiliently held in the pos1ti0n shown in Fig. 2 by means of a helical spring 18, arranged inside of the bushing. The bushings 17 are supported by, but insulated from, the frame members 2 and 2*, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

By reference to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be observed that the contact screws 13 and 14 increase progressively in length from one end of the group to the other, while the ends of each group of pins 15 and 16 are in alinement. From this it follows that as the bell crank moves one way or the other from the intermediate position shown 1n- F ig. 2, the contact screws in either group will be brought successively into engagement, one after another, with the corresponding contact pins 15. or 16. In practice, the length of the contact screws of each group will differ by a very small amount,

. serve to produce a sufiicient movement of the head 12 to cause the engagement and" disengagement of said'screws and pins. 1t will also be noted that, inasmuch as the pins 16 are resiliently mounted, the first members of each group can yield easily so as to per mit the last Contact screw of the series to engage its pin.

Mounted adj acenteach pair of rollers 7 8, is a series of recording devices which have been shown as in the nature of levers 19, pivoted at 20 and having one end bent slightly upward and brought to a fine point, as indicated at 21, to form a scriber. Each of these scribers or points is located preferably on a line joining the axes of the rollers 7 and 8. i

Adjacent the rear ends 22 of the levers 19 are disposed magnets 23, 23, so arranged that when energized each magnet will serve to force the corresponding scriber 21 upward. As shown in Fig. 3, these magnets are preferably arranged in staggered relation for the sake of compactness. Four levers'l9 and magnets 23 have been shown on one side of each. pair of rollers, and simi lar levers 19 and magnets 23 have been shown on the other side of each pair of rollers, the number of levers and magnets in each group corresponding to the number of contact screws in each group 1314.

A suitable source of current, such as a battery 24:, is provided, and has one side connected with the frame of the machine, as

by means of a wire 25. The other pole of such battery is connected by means of a wire 26 with one terminal of the winding of each magnet. One terminal of the winding of each of the magnets 23 is connected,

as by means of a' wire 27, with one of the contact pins 15, while theother terminal of the winding of each of the magnets 23 is connected with one of the pins 16, as by means of a wire 28.. It will be also noted that .the winding of the magnets for the two levers net "est to the rollers 7 and 8 are connected to the two pins 15 and 16, which are opposite the longest contact screws 13 and 14, and that the pins opposite the screws of progressively decreasing length are connected to the windings of the magnets associated with the levers disposed at increased distances from the rollers. It therefore follows that, upon a movement of the bell crank lever in either direction, thescribers located nearest the rollers will be first actuated, and then those more remote, in successlon.

The operation of the machine is simple.

A sheet of mica, such as indicated by 29, is

fed between the rollers 7 and 8, such rollers having been previously adjusted by means of the screws 3 to a distance apart just equal to the desired thickness of the finished sheet.

It will be seen that, as the sheet moves through. the machine, any variations in thickness will cause the rollers 8 to move up or down, and the bell crank levers to be correspondingly rocked. If, for example, a

portion of the sheetofabnormal thickness should ass between the right hand. pair of rollers 7 sponding bell crank would be rocked to the right as seen in Fig. 2, and the contact screws 14 would be brought into engagement with the contact pins 16. This would result in the energization of the magnets 23 of this group, and such magnets would pull down upon their corresponding levers 19 and force the scribers 21 up into contact with the. under side of the sheet. In this connection it will be observed from what has already been stated that, if, there is only a slight variation in the thickness of the sheet, only the first and longest of the con tact screws of the group will engage its contact pin, and only the scriber nearest the. rollers will be brought into operation. If, however, a greater thickness is encountered the bell crank lever will be rocked still farther and the second longest contact screw brought into engagement with its pin, thus bringing into operation the second scriber. It will be understood, therefore, that the number of scribers brought into engage ment with the sheet at any particular point is proportional to the amount of variation in the thickness of the sheet at that point. The greater the thickness, the larger the number of scribers brought into engagement.

The same operation takes place in C011, nection with the scribers on the left hand side of the pair of rollers. only in reverse order. That is to say, if a thin place is encountered by the roller 8, the'bell crank is rocked to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2,

' with a result that the contact screws 13 are brought into engagement, one after another, with their corresponding pins 15,-thus energizing one or more of the magnets 23, and bringing one 'or more of the scribers into engagement with the sheet.

Referring to Fig.7, the lines 30 represent and 8, shown in Fig. 1, the corre- .the path of the pair of 32 designate the record made upon such.

sheet by the scribers; Pursuant with the above explanation, it will be readily understood that marks such the left hand side of the lines 30, indicate that the sheet is too thin at this point,'-while marks such as 31, occurring on the right hand side of the lines 30, indicate that the sheet is too thick at such point. Moreover, the number ofmarks in. each group indicate the extent of the excessive thickness orthinness, as the case may be. Thus, each sheet, after it passes through the machine, contains upon itself a completerecord of its own defects, and after a little experience the operator can tell at a glance just how much the sheet requires to be built up or shaved off at the points indicated bythe marks.

What I claim is:

1. In a thickness gaging machine. for sheet material, means for feeding a sheet through the machine, and means separate from the said feeding means but electrically actuated thereby for automatically producing on the sheet local markings corresponding with local variations from a uniform thickness.

2. In a thickness gaging machine for sheet material, a phlrality of pairs of feed rollers adapted to receive the sheet between them and to move toward and from each other with variations in the thickness of the sheet,

disposed adjacent each pair recording means electrically operated means of rollers, and

controlled by the relative bodily movement of the rollers for automatically bringing such recording'meansinto action whenever that portion of the sheet between said rollers is either above or below a given uniform thickness.

3. In a thickness gaging machine for sheet material, a pair of receive the-sheet between them, a scriber mounted adjacent said rollers, and electri cally operated automatic means responsive to movement of one of the said rollers caused by abnormal thickness of the sheet for bringing said scriber into engagement with the sheet.

L. In a thickness gaging machine for sheet material, apair of feed rollers adapted to receive the sheet between them, a scriber mounted adjacent each side of said rollers, and automatic means responsive. to movement of one of the said rollers caused by variations of said'sheet above or below a given thickness for bringing one or the other of said scribers into engagement with said K rollers 7 and-8 over I as 32, occurring upon feed rollers adapted to adapted to said rollers for bringing said scribers successively into engagement one after another, as that portion of the sheet between the rollers varies more and more from a given thickness.

l with said sheet,

6. In a thickness gaging machine for sheetf,

inateriaha pair of feed rollers adapted to receive the sheet between them, a series of scribers mounted adjacent saidrollers, and .automatic means controlled by one of said rollers and responsive to a slight variation in thickness of said sheet for bringing one of said scribers into engagement with the sheet, and responsive to a greater variation in thickness for bringing a plurality of said scribers into engagement with the sheet.

7. In a thickness gaging machine for sheet material, means for feeding a sheet through the machine, a series of scribers disposed adjacent the path of travel of the sheet, in dividual electro-inagnetic means for actuating said scribers to bring them into engagement with said sheet, and means controlled by the sheet for energizing progressively increasmg numbers of such electro-magnetic means according as the thickness of that part of the sheet adjacent said scribers increases or diminishes.

8. In a thickness gaging machine for sheet material, means for feeding a sheet through the machine, a series of scribers disposed adjacent the path of travel of the sheet, in

dividual electro-magnetic meansffor actuating said scribers to bring them into engagement with said sheet, and means controlled by the sheet for energizing a number of such electro magnetic means proportional to the extent of variation in of the sheet adjacent'said scribers. s

9. In a thickness gaging machine. for sheet material, means for feeding thesheet through the machine, a pair of scribers arranged adjacent the path of the sheet, a pivoted lever,

a pair of electrical contacts between which said lever is arranged to vibrate, means governed by said contacts for respectively {moving said scribers into engagement with the sheet, said leV-er being movable, in response to variations in thickness of said sheet, into engagement with one or the other of, said contacts. i

10. In a thickness gaging machine for sheet material, the combination with a main frame, a shaft journaled therein, a set of rollers fixed .to said shaft, a second set of corresponding rollers, a lever for carrying eachof said second set of rollers, a frame on which said levers are pivotally mounted,

thickness of that part recording devices, means whereby the said recording devices are controlled by the move ment of said levers, and means for shifting the positionof the lever frame relative to the main frame, whereby the distance between said sets of rollers may be adjusted.

11. In a thickness gaging machine for sheet .material, means for feeding a sheet through the machine and for gaging the sheet, means for recording onthe sheet itself any variations from a uniform thick- -ness and means. whereby such recording means is electrically controlled by the firstnamed means.

12. In a thickness-gaging machine for sheet material, a plurality'of pairs of feed rollers adapted to receive the sheet between them, recording meansdisposed on each side of each pair of rollers and adapted' for marking a record on the sheet, means controlled by relative bodily movement of such pair of rollers for automatically bringing the recording means on one side or the other of such pair of rollers into action according as that portion of the sheet betweensaid I ing a power shaft mounted in fixed bearings .a roller secured to said shaft, a pivoted lepair )f rollers is either above or below a given thickness. I

13. In a thickness-gaging machine for sheet material, means for feeding a sheet through the machine and for gaging the sheet, a scriber located adjacent the path of travel of the sheet and automatic means governed by relative bodily movement of the rollers, due to changes in thickness of the sheet, for causing the scriber to engage the sheet.

14. In a thickness-gaging machine for sheet material, means for feeding a sheet through the machine and for. gaging the sheet, a scriber located adjacent the path of travel of the sheet, electromagnetic means for actuating the scriber, and means governed by relative bodily movement of the rollers, due to changes in the thickness of the sheet, for controlling the circuit of such electromagnetic means.

15. In a thickness-gaging machine for sheet material, means for feeding a sheet through the machine and for gaging the sheet, a pair of :scribers located adjacent the path of travel of the sheet, individual electromagnetic means for actuating each of such scribers, means responsive to relative movement of the rollers, due to an increase in the thickness of the sheet, for'closing the circuit of one electromagnetic 'means, and' means responsive to such movement, due to a decrease in the thickness of the sheet,- for closing the circuit of the other electromagnetic means.

16. In a thickness-gaging machine for sheet material, means for feeding a sheet through the machine, such means comprister and responsive to variations in the thickness of the sheet.

17. In a thickness-gaging machine-for sheet material, means for feeding a sheet through the machine and for gaging the sheet, a scribing device separate from the feeding means for recording on the sheet itself any variations from uniform thickness and means whereby such recording means is electrically controlled by the firstmentioned means.

18. In a thickness-gaging machine for sheet material, means for feeding a sheet through the machine, a mechanism movable to inscribe on the sheet, electrically operated actuating means for such mechanism, and meanscontrolled by the first-named means for rendering the said actuating means active upon changes in thickness of the sheet.

19. In a thickness-gaging machine for sheet material, means for feeding a sheet through the machine, a plurality of inclependent means for marking the sheet, electrical means including circuits each rendering active one of the marking, means, and means controlled by movement of the feeding means, due to changes in thickness of the sheet, for selectively closing the cireuits.

20. In a thickness-gaging machine for sheet material, means for feeding a sheet through the machine, a plurality of independent means for marking the sheet, electrical means including circuits each rendering active one of the marking means, and means controlled by movement of the feed ing means, due to changes in thickness of the sheet, for selectively closing the circuits, one circuit being closed, due to increase in thickness of .the sheet and another circuit being closed, due to decrease in thickness of the sheet.

In testimony whereof, I] have hereunto subscribed my name this 29th day of Nov. 1913.

HENRY R. EDGECOMB 

